The Social Security Benefits Application Process

To apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) or SSI benefits based on disability, a person must first make a claim (fill out an application). This is done by contacting the Social Security office, either by phone or by visiting a local office. Those who are making SSD claims can file online.

Initiating Your Disability Claim

The best method for initiating a disability claim is debatable. As many individuals can attest, getting through on the phone to apply for Social Security can be a difficult task in itself. On the other hand, trying to be seen as a walk-in at your local Social Security office can mean hours of waiting simply to be given an appointment to return at a later date.

It's probably better to use the phone. And by calling when Social Security opens, you can avoid the telephone log jam. Also, by calling, you can arrange for a phone interview rather than an interview conducted in-person, if you want. Interviewing over-the-phone is typically more convenient than traveling to the Social Security office.

If you don't want a field representative's help in walking you through the application process, and you're applying for SSD benefits (only available to those with enough work credits), you can file online.

Although disability applications are filed at the Social Security office that is not where they are evaluated. Completed disability applications are actually sent to state disability agencies, usually called Disability Determination Services, or DDS for short. At DDS, claims are assigned to disability specialists known as disability claims examiners. Examiners are the individuals who make the initial decisions on Social Security cases.

How long a Social Security disability case stays at DDS depends on many factors, such as how many cases a particular examiner has and how long it takes an examiner to gather a claimant's medical information. Consequently, a claim may be at DDS for as little as a month, or as long as several months. There is really no way to know, even for the examiner, how long a Social Security disability case may take. Therefore, when Social Security advises that a decision will be made within 90 to 120 days, take this with many grains of salt.

Follow Up with DDS

Because DDS processes claims, it is pointless to call the SSA to inquire about the status of the claim while the claim is at the DDS. However, it is a very good idea to contact the disability examiner while the case is at DDS. This is for several reasons:

The disability examiner usually knows what is happening on a claim and can readily provide the information.

Examiners who are bugged by applicants tend to work on their claims faster (naturally, to avoid more phone calls).

Unlike the Social Security office, DDS is usually accessible by phone (our state disability pages include contact information for your state's DDS).

What Happens at the DDS

In the course of working on a benefits claim for Social Security or SSI, a disability examiner may do one or more of the following:

Send the claimant to a medical examination paid for by DDS if there is not enough information in the claimant's medical records.

What usually delays a claim is waiting for medical records information to be received. Therefore, whenever possible, you should obtain your own medical records for disability and submit them when you apply (making sure, of course, to keep a copy for yourself--Social Security has a terrible habit of losing information that's needed for a disability claim). That way, DDS doesn't have to wait until your doctor sends the records to the DDS.

Usually, once an examiner has all the medical evidence gathered, a claim decision follows shortly. Find out more about how the disability examiner decides whether you are medically eligible for disability benefits.

If you have questions regarding a Social Security claim, contact the Bainbridge Firm. Experienced attorneys at The Bainbridge Firm can help you get the benefits you deserve!

Free Initial consultationCall us today for a free initial consultation. We promise to provide a response within a few hours.

Bold labels are required.

Contact Information

Name

Email AddressPlease enter a valid email address.

PhonePlease enter a valid phone number. You may use 0-9, spaces and the ( ) - + characters.

Brief description of your legal issue

Please verify that you have read the disclaimer.I have read the
disclaimer.disclaimer.

The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.